Getting a hole-in-one is rare: the likelihood of an amateur getting one according to the PGA is one in 12,750. Some life-long golfers never get to experience it. Two of Legacy’s golfers achieved this feat, and will remember it forever.
Sophomore Clayton Chenault did the unthinkable when he sunk a hole-in-one on a 136 yard, par-3 at Prairie Lakes Golf Course. The shot occurred at a school qualifier, which determined the ranks of the players on the team. Coaches and players were shocked.
“I have been playing for over 20 years, and I have never had a hole-in-one,” men’s head coach Chris Word said.
Clayton hit it high and with good direction. When it hit the green rapidly rolled to where it looked as if it would roll completely off the green. There was a moment of complete silence as everyone was on their toes, mouths wide open as the ball kept rolling, rolling, and rolling, until it disappeared into the cup.
“I didn’t really have a feeling when I saw it went in. It was indescribable. I knew it was a good shot, but I didn’t think it was going to go into the hole,” Chenault said.
The hole-in-one shocked many teammates. Everyone began to jump and holler in disbelief and in rejoice as they had witnessed their colleague make such an unlikely shot.
Chenault’s shot earned the respect and amazement of the team. However, it was a bit bittersweet for teammate Ben King, who was battling Chenault for the number one spot on the team.
“To me, I was about to lose qualifying. I was mad,” King said.
Coach Word is impressed with Clayton’s play and feels that it has affected the team in a positive way. They plan to take the momentum of strong play into upcoming tournaments and competitions.
“The top five I have now are the most serious bunch I have ever had. Now that Clayton has come in and has stolen number one, it’s caused them to stretch their games and practice skills a little bit more to catch him,” Word said.
Clayton plans to keep his pace up as well. He is currently ranked number one on the team and he plans to keep it that way.
“It’s pretty competitive. I’m just going to prepare myself and perform to the best of my abilities,” Chenault said.
Sophomore, Kendall McGahey also hit a hole-in-one like Chenault. It occurred in a tournament at Harbor Lakes Golf Course on a 100 yard par-3. After the first two in McGahey’s group made their shot, McGahey had a brief discussion with her coach and then teed off. The shot took one bounce and then rolled into the hole.
“I was really excited,” McGahey said. “I was completely shocked that I got one and it was really cool to go back and tell all of my friends.”
McGahey’s mother and girl’s golf coach Kay Dalke, were there to witness her hole-in-one. Dalke, who saw only one hole in one-in-person before McGahey’s, said that the hole-in-one was a great thrill and something McGahey deserved.
“I was so excited that I was there to see it rather than one hole over,” Dalke said. “She’s an exceptionally hard worker and certainly has the ability every time she plays a par 3 to make a hole-in-one. They just don’t happen very often.”
